Jim Nantz has set a date for when he will call the Masters for the final time, but fans still have plenty of time to enjoy the iconic broadcaster’s work at Augusta National.
Nantz has called the Masters on CBS every year since 1986. It is hard to imagine watching the tournament without hearing his voice and famous “hello, friends” greeting, but that day is going to come. Fortunately, it will not be for more than a decade.
In an interview with Bunkered that was published on Tuesday, Nantz confirmed that he has tentatively planned for the 2036 Masters to be his swan song for the most prestigious tournament in golf. Nantz would be roughly a month shy of his 77th birthday at that time.
“A lot of things have to happen for that to occur. First off, my health would have to hold up,” Nantz said. “Secondly, CBS and Augusta National would have to want me to come back. But if all the stars aligned, right now, it feels like a pretty good exit point: April 14, 2036. That is my scheduled retirement date. It would be a perfect place to walk out.”
The 2036 Masters will be the 100th edition of the tournament. That is a big reason why Nantz feels that would be an appropriate time for him to walk away. Though, he admits that he has seen broadcasters work well into their 80s and knows he could think “maybe I could do this for a while longer” when the time comes.
Verne Lundquist, one of Nantz’s former CBS colleagues, called his final Masters last year at the age of 83. He became choked up when Nantz paid tribute to him on the air toward the end of the tournament.
Nantz lightened his workload a bit when he gave up working the NCAA Tournament two years ago. In addition to the Masters, he is still prominently featured on NFL broadcasts alongside partner Tony Romo. Fans will be happy to hear they have at least another 12 years of Nantz at Augusta National.
